Start the new year off by attending the Georgia Spring Home Show this weekend. The Home Show is an event designed for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. Each event includes hundreds of exhibits with merchandise, product demonstrations and sample interior and exterior vignettes. With a combination of new products and expert advice from the pros, the Home Show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home's comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value. Admission is $9.00 for adults and you can find a $2.00 off coupon at the link above.

December 27, 2009

Oh those 3 dreaded words, “Mama, I’m bored!” Now that the presents are opened and exchanges made, how many days do you have until the kids get bored? With the rain and wind, it has been hard to get out of the house to play outside. So what is there to do in Atlanta when the kids get bored with all the new toys? Here are my top three picks for cold weather:

Tellus offers tons of great activities for kids (and adults) at the largest planetarium in the South.

Georgia Aquarium offers 8 million gallons of water full of fish and aquatic life. Kids will enjoy

Georgia Explorer where they can touch horseshoe crabs, star fish, stingrays and shrimp

Ocean Voyager is a favorite of mine where you walk through an acrylic tunnel surrounded by the ocean

Get up close with piranah at the River Scout area

Zoo Atlanta, it may be cold outside, but the animals LOVE it. You might just find them frolicking around at the zoo. Bundle up and check them out!

Gorilla feedings from 2 to 3 p.m. daily

Orangutan feedings from 2:30 to 3:30 daily

The petting zoo is themed to resemble an Australian sheep herding station

The Kids Zone features the Norfolk Southern Zoo Express, a rock climbing wall and a colorful carousel

Don’t miss the Giant Pandas!

If this list doesn’t tempt the kids, you could go to a movie, tackle a Boy Scout or Girl Scout badge, clean out a closet or play my all time favorite game, Clue. Hope this helps to cure those three little words!

December 14, 2009

Time is running out to be able to see the 2009 Atlanta Holiday House as it is only open through December 20th. And, according to the reviews from local media, this is a home you do not want to miss. The general consensus is that the house is the “the most stunning show home ever built!” What a claim! Can you imagine what this home must look like in order to draw that kind of a response?

Well, considering the house is the collaborative effort of 25 of Atlanta’s top designers, it’s no wonder that it is impressing visitors. The house is 22,000 square feet of exceptional architecture and was built by Atlanta custom builder Steve West. With your ticket, you will be given access to every room of the house, each with its own unique flair. Unfortunately, the website has no pictures of the home, so there is no way to see it other than paying a visit in person.

You can purchase tickets in advance for $20 or at the door for $25. All proceeds from the Holiday House will go to Save a Smile Foundation benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and other premier medical entities specializing in the treatment of cleft lip and cleft palate birth defects. Don’t miss your chance to tour this extraordinary home!

December 13, 2009

For everyone that is hosting family and friends this holiday season, you need to be more than the source of food, you must also be the source of entertainment. Playing host/hostess during the holidays is no easy feat, but thankfully, we live in Atlanta where there are a myriad of options for keeping out of town guests busy and happy.

Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) is happy to present Downtown Holiday Adventure, which is 50 Days of Family Fun during the holiday season. What types of things are included in the 50 Days of Family Fun? Well, of course catching a performance of the Nutcracker from the Atlanta Ballet, which is a 50 year tradition in Atlanta now. Other things like bringing the family to visit the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coke. Or, having the opportunity to ice skate outdoors in Centennial Park even though we don’t exactly have snow or freezing weather. There are also many different holiday concerts and plays. Visit the museums or take a trolley tour, so much to do!

December 09, 2009

You won't be hungry on this year's Virginia-Highland Tour of Homes! The tour will feature eight homes with a tasting from one of Atlanta's best restaurants at each home. Participating restaurants include Atkins Park, D.B.A Barbecue, MetroFresh, Shorty's Pizza, Rosebud, Bella Cucina, Whole Foods, Murphy's, El Taco and La Tavola. All proceeds benefit Highland Park - the new neighborhood green space at North Highland and Saint Charles.

December 02, 2009

The 2009 Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes features eight, beautiful houses lit with candlelight and holiday decor. Enjoy touring the homes, caroling each night, holiday shopping at the artist market and fun with the kids in this year’s Winter Wonderland workshop. Proceeds from the event benefit the Parent Network, the Grant Park Cooperative Preschool and St. Paul United Methodist Church.

When I was growing up in Forest Park, GA, I always loved to visit the "Christmas House" on North Avenue. This house sat on a corner lot and was decked out for Christmas. Anyone who lived in Forest Park knew about this house. A friend on Facebook created a memoir of the house....take a stroll down memory lane with me as I remember the "North Avenue Christmas House."